Hematology Frontier

Despite over 100 million units of blood being donated annually, supply remains insufficient, particularly for patients with chronic conditions or in crisis settings. Alloimmunization and blood group incompatibilities further constrain transfusion efficacy. In response, researchers are exploring the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate red blood cells (RBCs) in vitro as a reliable and potentially limitless source of transfusable cells. The journal Blood Science (2025) presents a comprehensive review of the current progress, challenges, and future directions of iPSC-derived erythropoiesis.

Hemophilia A is a chronic bleeding disorder resulting from a deficiency in coagulation factor VIII (F8). Current treatment strategies rely on frequent F8 replacement therapy, which is limited by its short half-life, high cost, and the risk of inhibitor development. Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) has emerged as a promising modality, offering liver-targeted, long-term transgene expression. This article recently published in Blood Science investigates whether targeted deletions adjacent to the furin cleavage site of F8 can enhance the therapeutic efficacy and safety of AAV8-delivered BDDF8 constructs in a murine model of hemophilia A.

At the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting, Dr. Syed Osman Ahmed contributed to a study investigating the incidence of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) in adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia…

From March 30 to April 2, the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025) was held in Florence, Italy—the cradle of the Renaissance.…

With the spring breeze of April sweeping through Florence, the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025) was successfully held from March 30…

The 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025) was held from March 30 to April 2 in Florence, Italy. As one of the…

On March 30, the city of Florence—birthplace of the Renaissance—welcomed the grand opening of the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025). As…

On March 30, the city of Florence—birthplace of the Renaissance—welcomed the grand opening of the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025). As…

At the 2025 EBMT Annual Meeting, cord blood transplantation (UCBT) emerged as a transformative strategy in the treatment of pediatric hematologic malignancies. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains a life-saving therapy, and UCBT is gaining attention for its unique clinical advantages. During the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025) held in Florence, Italy, Hematology Frontier invited Prof. Fang Liu from the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, to share insights into the current role of transplantation in pediatric hematologic malignancies. She also highlighted her team’s latest findings in UCBT and discussed significant developments in the field of pediatric transplantation presented at the conference.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a cornerstone in the treatment of various hematologic diseases. However, several peri-transplant challenges persist, particularly regarding the optimal timing of transplantation, the role of consolidation therapy, and maintenance strategies. At the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT 2025), the transplant team from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, presented several notable studies. Among them, three studies—B254, B259, and A001—focused on comprehensive leukemia management and transplant integration, drawing significant attention from the clinical community. Hematology Frontier invited Prof. Xiaoxia Hu to provide in-depth commentary on these research findings.